Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)

Do you have a newly identified GATE student and wonder what this new world is all about? Our New GATE parent presentation can offer some insights into what GATE is/means and how we work to meet the needs of our gifted students in CVUSD.

Program Content

Content of the GATE Program includes, but is not limited to:

• "After Class Enrichment Series" (ACES) offer district-wide GATE enrichmnet events and activities.
• Monthly campus enrichment opportunities.
• Qualitatively differentiated learning experiences in academic areas.
• Accelerated learning options.
• Development of critical thinking and creative problem-solving abilities.
• Development of ethical standards, realistic healthy self concepts, sensitivity, and responsibility.
• Social-emotional support.
• Alternative interventions for underachieving, economically disadvantaged or culturally and linguistically diverse GATE students. 

Program Options - Elementary

Once identified, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade GATE students are clustered in at least one class at each grade level on every school site. Focus is placed on the development of critical thinking skills and problem-solving activities, and sustained academic success. Curriculum is modified to meet student needs. Accelerated or extended learning opportunities are provided as appropriate. Students are encouraged to participate in optional activities provided by the school (during lunch or after school), district "ACES" (After Class Enrichment Series), and possible field trips to local colleges and/or community events.

"Odyssey of the Mind" sponsored by the district promoting creative problem-solving and collaborative teamwork.

"SPONT Day" sponsored by the District at different school locations.

"Invention Convention" is a STEAM focused district program open to ALL students in 3rd - 5th grade.

Program Options - Secondary

Students have an opportunity to meet together for at least one period a day in an appropriate honors or advanced placement class. Participation in optional activities provided by the school (during lunch or after school), district "ACES" (After Class Enrichment Series), possible field trips, and collaboration/exposure to local colleges and/or community events.

"Odyssey of the Mind" sponsored by the district promoting creative problem solving and collaborative teamwork.

"Teen Tech Convention" is a STEAM focused district program offered to 6th grade CVUSD GATE students at the Thousand Oaks Teen Center.

If you have any questions, please email Stefanie Caswell

Our CVUSD family and community is full of experts that do amazing things...EVERY day! Do you have a special skill-set/gift or talent that you could share with our students? We would love to hear from you!!! Contact Stefanie Caswell for volunteer opportunities surrounding your child's home campus.

You can also check with the principal at your child's school to see how you can assist your student's home campus GATE activities. We look forward to your involvement.

If your student was previously GATE identified in another district, we need the following information to determine GATE eligibility in CVUSD.

• Eligibility letter or notice of previous district GATE placement.
• Qualifying results from previous identification measures/assessments.

Please send this information to:

Conejo Valley Unified School District
Instructional Services - GATE
1400 East Janss Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

or via email to Stefanie Caswell

Rising third-grade students will have the opportunity to be screened for the GATE program in the spring of their second-grade year, unless parents/guardians choose to opt their student out of screening. Opt-out information will come from school site staff prior to the GATE screening activity administration. GATE screening will take place on each of our elementary campuses between late April and early June. 

• Universal GATE Screening Schedule - April 14th - June 3rd
• 2026 Universal Screening Timeline (English)
• Línea de Tiempo de GATE Primavera 2026 (Español)
• Rising 3rd Grade GATE Screening Opt-Out Form (English)
• 3rd Grado Consentimiento y Plan De Evaluacion Para Educacion De Dotados y Talentosos (Español)

• 2027 Universal Screening Timeline (English)
• Línea de Tiempo de GATE Primavera 2027 (Español)

• Parent Referral (English) - Intermediate Elementary / Secondary
• Referencia De Los Padres (Español) - Primaria / Secundaria
• Teacher Referral
  • Required Parent Consent with Teacher Referral:
    • English - Intermediate Elementary / Secondary
    • Español - Primaria / Secundaria
• 3rd -  5th Grade Individual Differentiated Learning Plan (IDLP) - English
• 3rd - 5th Grado Plan de Aprendizaje Diferenciado Individual (IDLP) - Español